Pea harvester



Nov. 6, 1956 w. l.. GooDLAD PEA HARVESTER '7 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Julyl0, 1952 JNVENTOR. v Vl//LL/AM L. Goo/JLA@ Nov. 6, 1956 w. l.. GooDLAD2,769,294

PEA HARVESTER Filed July 10,'1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR. l/l//LL/AML. CoOoL/10 A TToR/vf: Ys

' Nov. 6, 1956 w. l.. GooDLAD PEA HARVESTER '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July10, 1952 Q BWMMWNWL Nov. 6, 1956 w. L. GOODLAD 2,769,294

PEA HARVESTER I Filed July LO-I 1952 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 WSA 79 INVENTOR.HG. 6 l/l//LL/AM L. G'OQLAD Av- Top/vers Nov. 6, 1956 Filed July 10,1952 w. L. GooDLAD 2,769,294

PEA HARVESTER '7 SjeetsY-Sheet 6 INVENToR. l/l//LL/AM L. GOODLADEmma/@3% ATTORNEYS Nov. 6, 1956 Filed July 10, 195.2y

WIL. GOODLAD PEA HARVESTER '7 Sheetsf-Sheet '7 HG. J3

IN V EN TOR.

l/l//LL/AM L COODLAD BWMWW United States Patent Ollice PEA HARVESTERWilliam L. Goodlad, New Richmond, Wis.

Application July 10, 1952, Serial No. 298,063

12 Claims. (oise- 21) This invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in pea harvesters of the type adapted for cutting the vinecontaining the pods from the ground, elevating the same to lan endlessconveyor, separating lthe peas lfrom the vines .and pods, collecting thepeas i-n a receptacle land discharging .the vines and pods.

It is lan object of the present invention fto povide an lapparatus forthe harvesting of pea vines from the ground, transporting the same overan elevator to a horizontal conveyor, separating the peas from the podsand vines land collecting the peas in a receptacle;

yIt is Ia further object of this invention to provide an apparatus foreconomically cutting pea vines and separating the peas therefrom whichis simple of operation and may be operated by unskilled people;

llt is Ia further object of this invention to provide a pea harvesterhaving a construction of maxim-um eiliciency and economy whereby peasmay be harvested `from the ground Iand collected in receptacles with aminimum of. steps Iand in one operation;

Further objects of the present invention reside in the construction ofthe cutting blades, the means Vfor elevating the same, the constructionof the elevator and the rakes for progressing the vines from the groundto a horizontal conveyor land the means for separating the peas from thevines and :for sorting the peas into 'a receptacle land the vines andpods into a discharge means, Iand in the specific structural features ofthe apparatus hereinafter disclosed land claimed.

' The invention will be described with reference to the drawings inwhich correspond-ing numerals refer to the same parts and lin which:

Figure 1 is a left side elevation of the instant tion;

Y IFigure 2 is :an enlarged top plan view of the instant invention,partially in section, to show the details lof the elevator :and Ithehorizontal conveyor; A

Figure 3 is a right side-elevation showing particularly the drive forthe elevator fand horizontal conveyors;

Figure 4 is lan enlarged left side sectional view taken lalong the linesand in the direction of the arrows 4- of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is ra sectionalview taken :along the lines and in the directionof the arrows S-S of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is ya fragmentary top plan view of one of the 'harvesterconveyor belt-s;i

'Figure 7 is ia sectional view tak-en along the lines and in the`direction of the arrows "7-7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along the lines land lin thedirection of the `arrows '8-8 of Figure 7 g Y Figure 9 is yan isometricbottom View of one of .fthe iishbzack-s of Figure 2;

[Figure 10 is .a horizontal sectional view taken along the lines and inthe direction of the arrows .v10- 110 o f Fig-ure '3; f

Figure L1 is la left lside elevation of the instant invention showingthe scoop in elevated position;

. Figure 12 is a sectional -view similar Ito-Figure lll but inven-2,769,294 Patented Nov. 6, 1956 showing the scoop in ground engagingposition .and showing the forward end of the horizontal conveyor indat-um position and the rearward end of the shback rakes in -elevatedposition;

Fig-ure 13 is la view similar to Figure l2 but showing the forward endof the horizontal conveyor in elevated position :and the rearward end ofthe iishback rakes'in depressed position;

-Figure 14 is 'a view `similar to Figure 4 'but showin-g a modified formof Ithe lishback rakes of Figures 12 and 13.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figure 1, there isshown la pea harvester mounted upon a vehicle generally designated 10.The harvester comprises a `scoop or elevator, generally designated :11,and a Ihorizontal c-onveyor and collector mechanism generally designated12. The vehicle is provided with wheels 13, a combustion motor 14, laswell :as ya longitudinal frame 15. The vehicle in the illustratedinstance comprises ya truck chassis on which the seat 16 has beenreversed so las to face rearwardly (-or -rightwardly with reference toFigure 1), land the steering wheel 17 .has been lrepositioned so as tobe accessible from this modi- -ed position of the seat. However, it isof course fto be understood :that this lfeature forms no part of thei11- vention per se, rand la chassis constructed specically for theharvester or :any lother conventional chassis may be employed withoutldeparting from the spirit and scope of this invention. The vehicle 10is Ialso provided with accelerator Aand clutch controls (not shown)which allow the harvester to normally move in a lri-ghtward directionwith reference to Figure 1.

Horizontal conveyor and collection mechanism, generally designated 12,is lsupported by a framework comprising three pairs of uprights 118, 1=9:and 20, which are joined to the vehicle lframe lat t-he bottom endsthereof and to longitudinal braces 21 at the top ends. A pair ofinclined braces `22 extends from the juncture of the bottom :ends ofluprights 18 with frame A`15 to the juncture of uprights 19 withlongitudinal braces 21 to provide additional support for fthe conveyor.A planar Kloor 26 is `situated on the longitudinal frame =15 as may.best be :seen with reference to Figure 4.

|Referring now particularly to Figure 2 it will be seen that thehorizontal conveyor land collection mechanism generally designated |12is positioned to -one side of the framework consisting of frame 15 andoor 26 so that in effect `a shelf or ledge 2=3 is provide-d on which oneor more persons may stand to observe operations or on which a box may beplaced to collect peas as they emerge from trough mouth =42 or for anyother purpose.

A hopper Z7 is positioned :on fra-me 1'5 as shown lbest in Figure 1.Side plates 28, one of which is shown in Figure l, ext-end from the top`of the hopper 27 to braces 21 sand thence from braces 18 slightlybeyond braces 20 as :shown best in that ligure. `It also extendsdownward from braces 21 to the top of hopper 27 and to the top ofvtrough 43 (also shown .best in Figure l). The hopper 27 is provided withan open bottom through which the vines and pods are directed to drop inla windrow. The forward end -of the hopper (rightward with reference toFigure l) is further supported by -a pair of Istub braces 29 which :arepositioned vertically Iand parallel to braces 19 and which join inclinedbraces '22. A pair of horizontal short braces 30 serve to connect thejuncture of braces 22 land 29 to 'braces 19.

Braces 30 serve to support a transverse rod 31 which is journalled inpillow blocks 32. Secured to rod 31 and slightly overlapping the same isa plurality of bars 33. As may best be seen with reference to Figure 2,bars 33 are supported at the opposite ends thereof on the lip 34 ofhopper 27. The bars 33 are slightly spaced apart a sutlicient distanceto provide elongated apertures through the structure so that peas maydrop therethrough and the pods will be guided thereover into the hopper27. It may be noted with reference to Figure l that the bars 33 aredeclined slightly from right to left so as to guide the vines and podsinto the hopper 27 from whence they are discharged. Bars 33 arepivotable in pillow blocks 32 in an upward or clockwise direction withreference to Figure 1. Thus, bars 33 function to allow the peasordinarily to pass therethrough while guiding the vines and pods intohopper 27. However, should be spaces between bars 33 be clogged by vinesor pods and a number of peas commence passing thereover and going intohopper 27 along with the pods and vines, bars 33 may be pivoted from theposition of Figure 1 to a substantially vertical position to dislodgeany vines or pods which are collected thereon and are impeding the ow ofpeas therethrough.

A pea receiving trough 36 is positioned immediately beneath the bars 33and extends across the frame 15 as is shown in Figure 1. Trough 36 issupported, as indicated in VFigures 4 and 13 by a pair of transversesupports 40, one extending between upright braces 29 and the otherbetween upright braces 19. Trough 36 is of the cross-sectionalconfiguration shown best in Figure 4 and is provided with an end plate41 at one end thereof and an open mouth 42 at the other end thereof asis shown best in Figure 2. Thus, the peas may be conveniently dischargedfrom mouth 42 into any receptacle placed therebe'neath. It may be notedthattrough 36 is slightly inclined toward mouth 42 which inclinationserves to promote the progress of the peas therealong.

A second trough 43 is positioned as to discharge peas from mouth 44 intotrough 36 as is best shown with reference to Figure l. Trough 43 issupported from longitudinal braces 45 by links 46 (see Figures 5 and11), which are similar to links 47 for trough 36. Links 46 have one endpivotally attached to trough 43 and the other end pivotally attached tobraces 45. As may best be seen with reference to Figure 4, trough 43 isslightly inclined toward mouth 44, and reciprocates longitudinally. Thefloor of trough 43 is provided with a corrugated surface 48 over whichthe peas roll on their way to trough 36,. Thus, the slight inclinationof tro-ugh 43 and the reciprocatory motion thereof together with thecorrugations insure that the peas will be progressed uniformly fromright to left to be delivered into trough 36.

Secured'to the underside of trough 43 is a boss 49 to which is pivotallyattached a link t) of reciprocatory frame 51. Reciprocatory frame S1 isreciprocated by eccentric carri 56 on shaft 157, for the reciprocationof trough 43 as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

' Positioned immediately above trough 43 is an endless conveyorgenerally designated 52 which is supported by a pair of drive sprockets53 and a pair of driven sprockets 5.4. Sprockets 53 and 54 serve tosupport a pair of endless chains S5V shown in Figure 2. Anchored tochains 5 5 is. a plurality of studs 6i) which are journalled in tubularbearings 69' attachedl to angle members 61 which support segments 62 asmay best be seen with reference to Figure 7 in conjunction with` Figure4. Thus, the endless conveyor 52 comprises a plurality of transversesegments 62 to each of which is secured an angle member 6 1 at itsforward edge by welding or otherwise aflixing. Thus, the forward edge ofeach segment is supported by anangle member di and rearward edge restsupon the forward lip of a second angle member 6.1i for the nextsucceeding segment 62. Hence, each segment 62 is supported at theforward end thereof by being securely aflixed to one angle member 61 andat the rearward end by resting upon the horizontal liange of the nextangle member 61. Each segment is free to pivot with respect to stud 60and consequently after having passed over driven pulley 54 will dependas shown in Figure 4, thus d providing a plurality of apertures 69between the endless chains 55.

Each one of the segments 62 is provided with a plurality of depressedportions 67 which form apertures in the segments through which peas maypass and with a plurality of angled linear projections 6SA and 68B. ltmay be noted that the angle of linear projections 68A is inclined withrespect to the angle of linear projection 68B so that a series of Vs ora iishback pattern is provided. Thus, it may -be seen with reference toFigures 4, 6, 7 and 8, that the peas may fall through depressions 67 andthroughv apertures 69 onto corrugated surface 48 of trough 43.

Each of the driven sprockets 54 is rotatably mounted on -a common shaft54A, the ends of which are in pillow blocks 70 mounted on uprights 19Awhich are attached to horizontal brace 19B. A conventional handlewheel71 is aiixed to braces 21 for raising and lowering pillow blocks 70 byelevating and depressing uprights 19A to raise and lower the drivesprockets 53 so as to vary the incline of endless conveyor 5,2, andcorrespondingly of rakes 79 as may be seen in Figure 5.

Extending from uprights 19 is a pair of strap braces 75 each of which isprovided with a support brace 76. Extending between braces 75 is a rod77 which supports the sliders 78'of a plurality of iishback rakes orrake bars 79, as may beseen best with reference to Figures 2 and 4.Fishback rakes 79 are comprised of a plurality of longitudinally planarmembers each provided on the underside thereof with a series ofAchevron-shaped vprojections S0 as is seen best in Figure 9,. Acrankshaft 81 is provided, supported by a pair of braces 82 suspendedfrom longitudinal braces 21 as seen in Figure 1, and each rake 79 issecured to the crankshaft by bearing blocks 83. lt will be seen, asillustrated best vin Figures 2 and 4, that alternate pairs of rakes 79will be sequentially elevated and depressed to compress peas and vinesbetween the projections 89 of rakes 79 and the projections 68A and 68Bof endless conveyor 5.2. Projections 68A and 68B form chevronprojections which are at right angles to the chevron projections ofrakes 79. Thus, the for-V ward end 86 of each of the rakes .'79 willtravel in a circle, clockwise with reference to .Figure 1,l and the podswill be caught and ground between projections S0 and.V projections 68Aand l68B to abrade them from the peas.

In the modification of the f ishback rakes shown in Figure 14, rod 77and sliders 73 of rakes 79 are omitted.

Instead, each of rakes 79 is provided with a. bearing block to whichis'pivotaJly attached connecting Arod 87 which is pivoted at its otherend to the bearingrblock 87A secured to brace 19B as may be seen withreference to Figure 14. Thus, in the modification shown in Figure 14,each individual rake will assume the position shown bythe 4lower fullline rake 79 then advance to the posi-Y tion indicated by the upperdotted line position then assume the position shown by the upper fullline position from whence it will descend to the position shown by thelower dotted line position and then return to the lower full lineposition as the crankshaft 81 is rotated. Thus, it will be seen that theends of the rakes 79 adjacent braces 19A will cyclically :lift forwardlyand descend rearwardly as crankshaft 81 is rotated for scraping thevines between rakes 79 and endless conveyor 42. This provides somewhatmoreA of a jamming and abrading action than does` the modification ofFigures 1-13.

The slide support braces 75,' it may be noted at this time, areconnected to the hand wheels 71 and are raised and lowered as arepillow'blocks k7,0 for driven sprockets 54.

Positioned immediately on the foward edgey of the vehiclev (right edgewith reference to Figure 1) is a pair of upright braces 10i) which serveto pivotally support the scoop generally designated 11. Scoop 11comprises a frame composed of a pairof angle braces 88- joinedY tgthelowerends of a pair. of uprights 89 and a. Segond pair f upights 90. Theupper ends of uprights 90 are joined to a pair of declined braces V91,the frame 88-91 being provided with a pair of sides 92 and a bottomtherefor. Joined to braces 90 and 88 is a pair of inclined angle `braces93 as may be seen with reference to Figure 1. A pair of idler shaftsupporting braces 94 is joined to braces 91 and 88 also, as is seen inFigure 1. Supported on braces 94 is an idler roller 95 and supported onbraces 100 by shaft 102 is a drive roller 96. An endless conveyor 97 issupported between idler roller 95 and drive roller 96. Endless conveyor97 is of the construction best shown in Figures 12 and 13 and isprovided With a plurality of transverse cleats 98 extending thereacrossBeneath the top run of endless conveyor 97 there is placed a piece ofsheet metal 99 which help to keep the peas and vines from falling to theground.

Upright braces 100, which are provided with angle supporting 'braces101, are secured to the protruding end of frame 15 as may be seen withreference to Figure 11. These braces 100, not only serve to support thedrive roller 96 as mentioned previously, but also support shaft 102about which the scoop 11 pivots as may best be seen with reference toFigure 11. Upright braces 100A, which are best seen in Figure 10, areparallel to but exterior of braces 100 and also serve to support shaft102.

At the rearward end of the scoop 11 is pivotally attached restrainingmembers 103 which are provided with slots 104 therein (only one of whichis shown in Figure 1l). One of each of these members 103 it attached toan opposite rear corner of scoop 11. A pair of bosses 105, one of whichis shown in Figure 4, serve to support shafts 106 having handles 107 onthe end thereof. For each of the restraining members 103, there isprovided a slider 110. Each of the sliders 110 has positioned within ita cam, not shown, which operates as handle 107 is turned from a verticalto a horizontal position to frictionally engage the sides `of the slot104 to position the same irnmovably in `any position, as is well known.Thus, the scoop 11 is free to pivot about shaft 102 andmay be maintainedin the elevated position of Figure 11 or any other elevated position byturning the handle 107 so that the. cams of sliders 110 frictionallyengage slot 104. Thus, the scoop 11 may pivot about the Iaxis 102 tofollow the contour of the land during the cutting operations or for anyother purpose.

A platform 115 is positioned on the top rearward end of scoop 11 and isadditionally supported by a pair of braces 116. Positioned on thisplatform is an electric motor 117 which may be driven by any suitablesupply source. A Y-shaped control rod 118 has its extending endspivotally secured to the corners of platform 115 and its stem end toelevator lever 119 for the elevation or depression of the scoop 11 asshown in Figures 1 and 12-13. Elevator lever 119 is pivoted at 114 tothe chassis 15.

Disposed above endless conveyor 97 is a plurality of rakebars 120.Rakebars 120 are longitudinally disposed above the endless conveyor 97and 'are provided with a plurality of depending picks 121. Rakebars 120`are also provided with end picker members 122 which are curved in thedirection of travel of endless conveyor 97 as exemplified by the arrow123. Bars 120 are each provided with a slide 124 at ythe upward endthereof which is reciprocable on a transverse bar 125 which is supportedadjacent the upper end of frame members 93. A crankshaft 126 .isprovided and is aixed to a pillow block 127 on each one of rakebars 120.The ends of the crankshaft are journalled for rotation in a pair ofpillow blocks 128 axed to frame members 94. As may best be seen withreference to Figures 1, and 11-13, Ialternate pairs of rakebars 120reciprocate in a clockwise circle to pull the vines and pods in thedirection of arrow 123 thus cooperating with the direction of travel ofthe belt also indicated by arrow `123:. y

' Positioned on crankshaft 126 is a sheave 108 which is driven by sheave111 through V-belt 109. Sheave 111 is mouth end of the scoop, there isprovided a sickle barv generally designated 129 -to which, -as shownbest in Figure 10, there is Welded or otherwise aixed, a bar member 130supporting a plurality of exible steel tines 131, the exterior end 132of which rests upon the transverse projections 98 of endless conveyor97. As shown specifically in Figures 11-13, the tines 131 are slightlyconcave so as to guide vines cut by the sickle bar 129 up onto conveyor98, where, by the action of the conveyor and the cooperative action ofthe rakes 120 they are conveyed upward in the direction of arrow 123 andthen onto the endless longitudinal conveyor 52.

rl`he sickle bar 129 is of a type generally known in the industry andforms no part of this invention. It is provided With a guide shoe 133and a plurality of stationary teeth 134. A reciprocal member 135 isreciprocated by rocker arm 136 which is pivoted upon boss 137. One end138 of rocker arm 136 is affixed to a connecting arm 139 attached toreciprocal member 135. The other end 140 of rocker arm 136 is attachedto an extending connecting arm 141 which is attached by a stud 142 to aflywheel 143. Flywheel 143 is journalled in pillow blocks 144 mountedupon scoop 11 as shown in Figures 1 and 10 and is driven by a shaft 146which is rotated by bevel gear 147. A mating bevel gear 148 isjournalled on shaft 149 which is in turn journalled in bearings 150 onthe scoop 11 as isshown best in Figure 10.

Afxed to the extending end of shaft 149 is a sheave 151 driven by belt152 from sheave 153. Rotation of sheave 151 thus actuates sickle bar 129for cutting. Sheave 153 is a dual sheave and is also connected by belt154 to drive a bevel gear 155 which in turn drives a mating bevel gear156 which drives an eccentric cam 156 to reciprocate trough 36 by meansof a reoiprocaitory frame and link which are not shown in detail, butare exactly similar to reciprocatory frame 51 and link 50 for trough 43.The shaft 157 of sheave 153 is journalled in braces 100 and 100A andtraverses the distance therebetween.

Disposed on the opposite end of shaft 157 is eccentric cam 56 whichoperates in reciprocatory frame 51 to reciprocate trough 43 forwardlyand backwardly. Also attached to the opposite end of shaft 157 is asheave 158 which is driven through belt 159 by sheave 160. Roller 96 ofendless belt 97 which travels in the direction of the arrow 123, isalso' driven by sheave 160. This is best shown with reference to Figuresl and 3. Shaft 102 of sheave 160 extends between frame members 100 and100A and adjacent the opposite end thereof is provided with a dualsheave 161- 162. Sheave 162 is driven by a belt 163 from motor 117 as isbest shown in Figure 3. The rotation of sheave 162 by means of belt 164drives the chain sprockets 53 of endless conveyor 52. Also rotated bybelt 164 is sprocket 168 positioned on shaft 53A which drives chain 167which is passed around an idler sprocket 166 positioned on one of theframe members 21 as shown in Figure 3. Thus, sprocket 168 and idlersprocket 166 are positioned so that the chain 167 bears against theteeth of sprocket 169 for rakebars 79 and thus the rakebars 79 arereciprocated in a counterclockwise direction with reference to Figure 3.

With reference to the driving connections, as explained above, it willtherefore be apparent that energization of the motor 117 simultaneouslyactivates endless conveyors 52 and 97, the lishback rakes 79 and the barrakes 120 as well as reciprocating the troughs 36 and 43 and thereciprocatory member 135 of the sickle bar 129.

Thus, in operation, the harvester 10 will be moved in a direction fromleft to right with reference to Figure 1, the sickle bar 129 will engagethe vines and pods and sever them from the ground whereupon they will beguided by ,tines 130 onto endless conveyor 97, whereupon the action ofconveyor 97 and bar rakes 120 will progress the pods and vines in thedirection of arrow 123. The pod containing vines will then be deliveredonto endless conveyor 52 and will be abraded between conveyor S2 andfishback rakes 79, whereupon the peas will be separated from'the podsand fall through apertures 67 of conveyor 52 into reciprocatory trough43 whereupon they will be guided into reciprocatory trough 36 fromwhence they will emerge for collection. The vines will be progressedalong endless conveyor 52 and over bars 33 into hopper 27. Any peaswhich have not fallen through into reciprocatory trough 43 will fallthrough bars 33 into reciprocatory trough 36.

As many widely differing embodiments of this invention may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to beunderstood that I do not limit myself to the specific embodimentdisclosed herein.

What I claim is:

l. An apparatus for harvesting peas and the like having a wheeled frame,a cutting means on said frame and positioned to engage vinessubstantially close to the surface of the ground for the cuttingthereof, an endless conveyor positioned adjacent said cutting means forelevating said vines, said endless conveyor having a terminal endpositioned to discharge said vines into a threshing apparatus comprisingin combination a second endless conveyor, said second endless conveyorhaving a plurality of depressions forming apertures therethrough, aplurality of linear projections extending at inclined angles adjacentsaid apertures, a plurality of spaced reciprocatory rake members locatedabove said second endless conveyor for compacting the vines and peasbetween said members and said endless conveyor, a trough located beneathsaid second endless conveyor having a discharge end for discharge into asecond trough, said second trough having a discharge end, guide meanspositioned above said second trough and adjacent the discharge end ofsaid second conveyor for guiding vines and pods thereover, said guidemeans having a plurality of apertures therethrough, a hopper forcollecting said vines and pods from said second endless conveyor, andmotor means for driving said first and second conveyors, said cutter,said fakes, said reciprocatory members simultaneously.

2. The apparatus of claim l further characterized by means for elevatingand lowering an end of said second endless conveyor and saidreciprocatory members disposed thereover.

3. In an apparatus for harvesting peas and the like having a cuttingmeans positioned to engage vines substantially close to the surface ofthe ground for the cutting thereof, an elevator means positionedadjacent said cutting means for elevating said vines, the improvementcomprising in combination an endless conveyor, said endless conveyorhaving a plurality of apertures therethrough, linear projectionsadjacent said apertures a plurality of spaced alternately reciprocatorymembers located above said endless conveyor for compacting the vines andpeas between said members and said endless conveyor, a reciprocatorytrough located beneath said endless conveyor having a discharge end fordischarge into a second reciprocatory trough and said secondreciprocatory trough reciprocal in a longitudinal direction also havinga discharge end, guide means positioned above said second reciprocatorytrough and adjacent the discharge end of said endless conveyor forguiding vines and pods thereover, said guide means having a plurality ofapertures therein and a hopper for collecting said vines and pods on theside of said guide means remote from said conveyor, and motor means fordriving said first and second endless conveyors, said cutter, saidreciprocatory members and said reciprocatory troughs simultaneously.

4. The subcombinaton for threshing a hulled vegetable comprising anendless conveyor positioned in a horizontal position substantially abovethe surface ofthe ground,

means supporting said endless conveyor, said endless'conveyor having aplurality of apertures therein, a plurality of spaced'linear projectionson said endless conveyor positures therein, said second reciprocaltrough positionedV therebeneath, a hopper positioned adjacent said guideand adapted to receive pods and vines progressed over said secondendless conveyor and said guide, and means for simultaneously actuatingsaid cutter barsaid endless conveyor said reciprocating rake bars andsaid reciprocating troughs. Y

5. In combination with a pea harvester or the like, an endless conveyorhaving a receiving end and a discharge end, means supporting saidendless conveyor in a horizontal position substantially above thesurface of the ground, said endless conveyor having a plurality ofapertures therein, a plurality of linear projections on said endlessconveyor, a plurality of reciprocating rake bars positioned above saidsecond endless conveyor, a plurality of projections on saidreciprocating rake bars adapted for cooperation with said plurality ofprojections on said second endless conveyor, a longitudinally reciprocaltrough positioned beneath the lower run of said second endless conveyorand having a discharge end positioned over a second longitudinallyreciprocal trough, a guide positioned adjacent the discharge end of saidendless conveyor and said second longitudinally reciprocal troughpositioned therebeneath, and a hopper-positioned next to said guide andadapted to receive pods and vines progressed over said second endlessconveyor said guide and into said hopper, and means for simultaneouslyactuating said endless conveyor, and said reciprocating rake bars andsaid reciprocating troughs.

6. The subcombination for harvesting peas comprising horizontal conveyormeans for receiving and conveying vines, a plurality of misaligneddepressions and apertures in said conveyor means, angularly inclinedlinear projections adjacent said depressions, means positioned yabovesaid horizontal conveyor means for compacting and abrading the vines andpods therebetween for separating the peas from the pods, means disposedbeneath said horizontal conveyor means for receiving said peas and meansat one end thereof for separately collecting said vines and pods, andmeans for simultaneously elevating the discharge ends of said horizontalconveyor and said abrading means.

7. In an appaaratus for harvesting peas and the like having incombination a wheeled frame, motor means connected thereto forprogressing said frame along the ground, a cutting means associated withsaid frame and positioned to engage pod containing vines substantiallyclose to the surface of the ground for the cutting thereof, elevatormeans positioned adjacent said cutting means for elevating said vines, athreshing apparatus comprising horizontal conveyor means mounted toreceive said elevated vines from said elevator means, said horizontalconveyor means having a plurality of apertures therein, linear inclinedprojections adjacent said apertures, abrading means positioned abovesaid horizontal conveyor means for compacting and abrading the vines andpods therebetween for separating the peas from the pods, and receivingmeans disposed beneath said horizontal conveyor means for receiving saidpeas and means for sep-v arately collecting said vines and pods.

8. A separator comprising in combination a horizontal conveyor means forreceiving vines comprising a pair ofy endless chain members havingtransverse connecting members therebetween and a plurality of transverseplate members each secured at one edge to one of said transverseconnecting members and resting at the other edge on a succeeding one ofsaid transverse connecting members, apertures in said plates, bar meanspositioned above said horizontal conveyor means for compacting andabrading the vines and pods therebetween for separating the peas fromthe pods, said transverse plate members having apertures therein andmeans disposed beneath said horizontal conveyor means for receiving saidpeas and means disposed at one end of said horizontal conveyor means forseparately collecting said vines and pods.

9. In an apparatus for harvesting peas and the like including a wheeledframe, cutting means supported by said frame and positioned to engagepod-containing vines substantially close to the surface of the groundfor the cutting thereof and elevator means positioned on said frameadjacent said cutting means for elevating said vines to a receivingmeans, a harvester comprising in combination means positioned on saidframe for supporting said elevated vines, means positioned on said frameabove said supporting means for compacting and abrading the vines andpods therebetween for separating the peas from the pods, means disposedon the frame beneath said supporting means for collecting said peas, andmeans positioned on the frame at one end of said supporting means forseparately collecting said vines and pods, the supporting meanscomprising a horizontal conveyor having an upper and a lower run and areceiving end and a discharge end, said conveyor being provided with aplurality of apertures, linear projections adjacent said apertures, andsaid conveyor comprised of a plurality of transverse sections pivoted atone side thereof to endless supporting members.

10. In a pea harvester or the like having means for cutting podlcontaining vines, initial means for conveying said pod conveying vinesto a separating means, and means for separately receiving the peas andvines after they have passed through said separating means, theimprovement comprising in combination a horizontal endless conveyorpositioned to receive said cut vines, said conveyor being provided witha plurality of aper- 10 tures, longitudinal projections adjacent saidapertures, abrading means positioned above the upper run of said endlessconveyor, through means positioned beneath the lower run of said endlessconveyor and collection means positioned to receive vines as they aredischarged from said endless conveyor.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that saidhorizontal endless conveyor has aninitial end positioned beneath saidinitial means for conveying said pod conveying vines, a terminal endpositioned to discharge vines into said collection means, means fordriving said endless conveyor in a direction from said initial end tosaid terminal end and a plurality of pairs of longitudinal projectionson said endless conveyor, said longitudinal projections forming anendless course alternately angled toward opposing sides of said endlessconveyor.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further characterized by said abradingmeans being above the upper run of said endless conveyor and comprisinga plurality of adjacent rows of alternate reciprocating abradingelements longitudinally extending and having one end of each row ofabrading elements positioned adjacent said terminal end of said conveyorand the other end of each row of abrading elements positioned adjacentthe initial end of said conveyor and means for simultaneously adjustingthe elevation of the discharge end of said conveyor and the end of saidabrading means associated therewith.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 193,866Gordon et al. Aug. 7, 1877 754,394 Silvis Mar. 8, 1904 1,874,916 CulverAug. 30, 1932 1,935,803 Lilliston Nov. 21, 1933 2,504,193 Gough et alApr. 18, 1950 2,524,077 Porter Oct. 3, 1950 2,587,289 Cook Feb. 26, 19522,597,673 Ritter et al. May 20, 1952 2,608,973 Coons Sept. 2, 1952

